Marseille say Didier Drogba is now more likely to begin the new season with Chelsea than at the Stade Velodrome.

They expect to make an announcement on the Ivory Coast striker's future before the middle of the week, with reports in France indicating that Drogba's future could be decided even earlier.

Chelsea have already seen one £18m bid dismissed by the French club for the player whose Uefa Cup exploits last season earned him Europe-wide recognition.

The 26-year-old Drogba has spent just one season with Marseille, who bought him from Guingamp last summer, but the team from Provence are now expected to make a profit of approximately £20m on a player who cost a bargain £4m.

Marseille president Christophe Bouchet said: "A final decision will be made by the beginning of the week."

The opportunity to cash in on Drogba is one which Bouchet does not want to miss, particularly as it will help with the clearing of Marseille's debt and allow coach Jose Anigo to fortify his squad in several positions.

Chelsea head to the United States on Wednesday to continue their pre-season preparations, by which time they could have Drogba on board.

Bouchet added on his club's official website: "This must happen quickly, so as not to get in the way of the preparations of Marseille or Chelsea.

"Today, we are heading towards Didier's departure, but one never knows ... nothing has been signed.

"At present, the agreement for a sale of Didier is a serious probability."